Economic Sciences

QUICK JUMP

Economics
Study Options
Requirements and Core Courses
Careers in Natural Resource Sciences
Salaries
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Campus Organizations and Activities
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
Contact Information

Economics

Economics is the study of the allocation of resources between competing and alternative uses. Macroeconomics analyzes the level of output and prices, inflation, and unemployment. Microeconomics emphasizes how consumers make purchase decisions and how they use their time, how firms make decisions on what to produce and who to employ, and current topics such as health care economics.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, minor, master of arts, doctorate
• Available at: Pullman

Study Options

The bachelor of arts in economics allows students to choose one of the following areas of special interest:

• Financial markets: Provides solid, analytical training in the substantial overlap between economics and finance.

• International economic development: Applies economic and institutional analysis to the problems of economic growth and underdevelopment in the Third World.

• Labor economics: The behavior and role of workers, the operation of labor markets, and the role of institutions in a modern economy.

• Public policy: Emphasizes the analytical skills useful in making decisions involving government programs and tax policy.

• Regulation, industrial organization, and law: Examines the relationship between the organizational structure of business firms and the regulatory environment in which they operate.

• General Economics: Permits maximum flexibility to become a specialist or a generalist. Great for students who wish to tailor their program toward graduate studies in economics, business law, or public policy.

Requirements and Core Courses

Bachelor of arts in economics
All majors in the School of Economic Sciences complete a common set of foundation courses. The foundation requires 40 credits in total.

FOUNDATION COURSES

--Group 1: Economic Analysis (12 credits total)
EconS 101 Fundamentals of Microeconomics
EconS 102 Macroeconomics
EconS 301 Intermediate Microeconomics (prerequisite EconS 101)
EconS 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics (prerequisite EconS 102)

--Group 2: Quantitative Analysis (13 credits total)
Math 202 Calculus
Math 201 Linear algebra
Math 171, 172, 220
(Recommended for Economics majors or those preparing for graduate school)
MgtOp 215 or Stat 212 Probability and Statistics
EconS 311 Introduction to Applied Econometrics (prerequisite MgtOp 215 or Stat 212)

--Group 3: Communication Skills (9 credits total)
Engl 101 English Composition
Engl 402 Technical/Professional Writing
ComSt 102 or 324

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

--Economics of Financial Markets
EconS 320
Fin 325
Two of the following:
      EconS 420
      Fin 421
      Fin 422
      Fin 425[M]
      Fin 427[M]

--International Economic Development
Two of the following:
      EconS 327
      EconS 427
Two of the following:
      EconS 416
      EconS 430
      EconS 453
      I Bus/Fin 481

--Labor Economics
EconS 323
EconS 423[M]
Two of the following:
      EconS 321[M]
      EconS 324
      MgtOp 450
      MgtOp 456[M]

--Economics of Regulation, Industrial Organization, and Law
Two of the following:
      EconS 325[M]
      EconS 425[M]
Two of the following:
      EconS 321
      EconS 322
      EconS 324
      EconS 330
      EconS 426

--Economics of Public Policy
EconS 322
EconS 431
Two of the following:
      EconS 321
      EconS 323
      EconS 324
      EconS 325
      EconS 420
      EconS 425
      EconS 427

--General Economics
Twelve hours of 300- to 400-level courses

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning, and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Careers in Economics

An understanding of how the economy works, how firms compete, and how demand and supply shape the marketplace serves as a solid foundation for many careers in private, nonprofit, and government sectors.

Some of the many careers obtained by WSU economics graduates include: appraisers, auditors, broker floor representatives, budget analysts, buyers, claims examiners, comprehensive analysts, consultants, credit analysts, database administrators, economic analysts, efficiency experts, environmental planners, financial analysts, forecasting administrators, fund raisers, import/export agents, insurance agents, loan officers, lobbyists, managers, marketing administrators, real estate appraisers, research and sales analysts, sales representatives, securities brokers, statisticians, and underwriters.

Graduates have career positions at companies including: Boeing, Murphy-Favre, Merrill Lynch, Waddell and Reed, Microsoft, Go2Net, ConAgra, BF Goodrich, Paine Webber, General Cable Corp., Founder’s Asset Management Co., and Northwestern Trust.

Salaries

With an undergraduate degree: $22,000–28,000 annually as a management trainee; $24,000–30,000 in banking or finance; $26,000–34,000 as a research analyst. With a master’s degree in economics: $30,000–40,000. With a Ph.D.: $45,000–100,000.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The School of Economic Sciences offers scholarships for economics and business economics majors. Students may also be eligible for other University scholarships or financial aid.

Campus Organizations and Activities

An active economics club allows students and professors to discuss economics and related issues. Club members engage in forum discussions, fund raising activities, and a unique program in which members predict how the Federal Reserve will set interest rates.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Agricultural Economics and Management
• Finance
• Management and Operations
• Agribusiness Economics and Management
• Environmental and Resource Economics and Management

Contact Information

School of Economic Sciences
Washington State University
Hulbert Hall 101
PO Box 646210
Pullman, WA 99164-6210
Fax: 509-335-1173
pwandschneider@mail.wsu.edu
509-335-1906

Visit Department Web Page

School of Economic Sciences

Watch a Video about this program